KARACHI: The Government of Punjab has started working on the biggest wind power project. The Punjab Government has issued a letter of expression of interest to the “Vestas Wind Systems” for the establishment of 4 power plants of 250 MW each. ‘Vesta Wind Systems, is a world-renowned company of Denmark. As proposed, this Power project will be set up in Southern Punjab adding 1000 MW to the National grid. The project has been named as ‘Quaid-e-Azam Wind Park’.

According to the Embassy of Denmark, Pakistan Government is taking steps to find alternative sources for getting rid of the energy crisis. Vestas conducted detailed analysis and study using Industry-led Technology in 2014 in the Southern Punjab for the wind energy projects. As a result, four wind energy projects of 250 MW each has been identified for wind energy production.

Approximately, 1000 MWs will be the combined capacity of them. The Government of Punjab and Vestas signed ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ in February 2015.

As per Memorandum of Understanding, Vestas with the co-operation of Danish Embassy will invest US $ 2.2 billion to the Punjab Government’s biggest wind power project of 1000 MW. The ceremony of the Expression of Interest was held at Chief Minister House where the Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, the Political Director of Denmark Mr Jesper M. Sorensen, former Foreign Minister Ambassador of Pakistan, Vice President of Vestas Asia and other prominent high officials were present.

The Political Director of Denmark Jesper M. Sorensen has also served as Ambassador in the Pakistan in the years 2013 –2015, who during his deployment introduced Vestas to the Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif. According to him, Pakistan is highly interested in international companies especially in the energy sector. Pakistan is moving quickly toward the alternative energy sources. Pakistan is very rich in resources of wind energy.Danish companies have expertise and experience. They are rich in skills related to the field of technologies. Vestas status has been the key in this regard.

According to him, he hopes that this project will contribute to complete the needs of energy for the Punjab. Denmark’s Government is ready to cooperate with Pakistan in increasing the energy capacity of Pakistan. The Denmark Government is planning to cooperate closely with the relevant government policy in Pakistan including Wind Technology transfer and Investment. The first 250 MW wind energy project, to provide electricity in Punjab, will start production in 2018. On this occasion, Vice President of Vestas Asia informed the audience about the project.